May 23, 2013 Meeting

Assemblymember Joan Buchanan

6:15 pm Social Get Together
6:45 pm Dinner
7:15 pm Program

Governor Jerry Brown proposed a 2013-2014 Budget in January. After input from the Assembly and Senate and revised numbers, the “May Rewrite” will be here soon. Joan will discuss the main topics and the implications of the California Budget. With her breadth of knowledge and her ability to make complex concepts simple, Joan will give us a good understanding and the next steps we need to take.

Assemblymember Joan Buchanan, elected to the State Assembly in November 2008, represents the 16th Assembly District, which includes portions of Alameda and Contra Costa counties and the communities of Alamo, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek.

Assemblymember Buchanan is the Chairwoman of the Assembly Education Committee bringing a deep understanding of educational issues gained during her 18 years of service on the San Ramon Valley School Board, including four terms as board president. Education has been a lifelong priority for Joan. She understands that for California’s economy to thrive in the future, we must invest in a strong public education system, including a focus on instilling strong fundamentals in early grades. Through her service on the State Allocation Board, Joan works to maximize the state’s investment in safe and up-to-date school facilities for all students.

Since being elected to the Assembly, Joan has focused on working with local leaders to solve problems. This session, Joan’s legislative package focuses largely on education issues, including a package of three bills dealing with teacher evaluation, discipline and dismissal, as well as mandated reporting. In the areas of educational facilities funding, she has co-authored a bill that will put safeguards on the sale of Capital Appreciation Bonds. She has also introduced The Pink Plate Bill to create a specialized license plate promoting breast cancer awareness and prevention.

In 2012, Joan led the Assembly’s review of the Governor’s Reorganization Plan successfully fighting for significant changes in the plan including technology acquisition, maintaining the independence of the California Transportation Commission and the Delta Stewardship Council, and retaining an Advisory Commission on Boating and Waterways.

John Mills

Local Speaker: We welcome John Mills as a future candidate for the San Ramon City Council in this November’s election. He has called San Ramon home for just over nine years. He’s spent his career as staff to elected officials at the city, county, and state levels of government since 2000, most recently as the Chief of Staff to Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager since 2006. His public service extends beyond his work life, including as a member of the First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission since 2008 and the Chair for Legislative Advocacy of the Country Club Elementary School PTA Board since 2011.

John also has been involved with the City of San Ramon since 2006, serving on the City’s Economic Development and Housing Advisory Committees, and most recently as a member of the Parks and Community Services Commission. John holds a B.S. in genetics from U.C. Davis and an M.S. in genetics from the Stanford University School of Medicine. In his candidacy for the San Ramon City Council, his goals are to (1) focus on preserving city services amidst budget constraints, (2) make city government more responsive to and inclusive of residents, and (3) advocate for high-quality neighborhoods in land use and development decisions.

6:15 pm Social Get Together
6:45 pm Dinner
7:15 pm Program

Even if you opt to attend just the meeting, please join us at 6:15 pm to talk to socialize and have fun.